These Mini Red Velvet Cheesecake Bites combine the cocoa-kissed tang of red velvet cake with the dense creaminess of baked cheesecake—all in a two-bite, party-ready format. They’re structurally stable, freezer-friendly, and ideal for events where portion control and clean presentation matter.
Flavor & Texture Profile
- Mild cocoa base
- Slight tang from buttermilk + cream cheese
- Velvety, dense cheesecake center
- Moist but not crumbly crumb
- Balanced sweetness
Properly executed, these should be:
- Firm enough to hold shape
- Creamy in the center
- Not overly sweet
- Bright red without bitterness
Option 1: Cheesecake-Filled Red Velvet Cake Bites (Most Popular)
Yield:
24 mini bites (mini muffin tin)
Ingredients
Red Velvet Batter
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 1 egg
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp white vinegar
- 1–2 tsp red gel food coloring
Cheesecake Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- ½ tsp vanilla
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a mini muffin tin with liners or lightly grease.
Make Filling
Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Mix in egg yolk and vanilla. Chill while preparing batter.
Make Batter
- Whisk dry ingredients together.
- In separate bowl, combine oil, sugar, egg, buttermilk, vanilla, vinegar, and coloring.
- Combine wet and dry until just mixed.
Assemble
- Fill each cavity ⅔ full with red velvet batter.
- Add 1 teaspoon cheesecake filling to center.
- Gently press filling slightly into batter.
Bake
Bake 14–17 minutes until centers are set.
Cool completely before removing.
Option 2: Cheesecake-Forward Bites (More Creamy)
For a denser, cheesecake-dominant version:
- Make a simple red velvet crust (crushed baked red velvet cake mixed with 2 tbsp melted butter).
- Press into mini cheesecake pan.
- Top with red-tinted cheesecake batter.
- Bake in water bath 18–22 minutes.
This version resembles mini New York cheesecake with red velvet base.
Professional Texture Tips
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Cheesecake cracks | Do not overbake |
| Dry cake edges | Don’t overmix batter |
| Filling sinks | Chill filling first |
| Color dull | Use gel, not liquid coloring |
Optional Finishes
- Cream cheese frosting swirl
- White chocolate drizzle
- Red velvet crumbs on top
- Mini chocolate chips
For a bakery-style finish, pipe stabilized cream cheese frosting using a star tip.
Make Ahead & Storage
Refrigerate up to 4 days in airtight container.
Freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator.
Best served slightly chilled for clean bite structure.
Flavor Variations
Chocolate Chip Red Velvet
Add mini chips to batter.
White Chocolate Core
Replace cheesecake center with white chocolate ganache.
Strawberry Red Velvet
Add 1 tbsp strawberry puree to filling.
Nutritional Estimate (Per Bite)
Approximate:
- 110–140 calories
- 7–9g fat
- 10–12g carbs
- 2–3g protein
Scaling for Events
- 24 guests: 1 batch
- 50 guests: Double batch
- 100 guests: Quadruple batch
Use mini cheesecake pan for cleaner presentation at large events.
Technical Summary
The key to excellent mini red velvet cheesecake bites:
- Controlled moisture balance
- Proper cream cheese emulsification
- Minimal gluten development
- Accurate bake timing
Done correctly, these are rich, vibrant, and elegantly portioned—perfect for holidays, Valentine’s Day, weddings, or dessert tables.
Print
Mini Red Velvet Cheesecake Bites
Ingredients
For the crust (optional):
- ½ cup graham cracker crumbs or Oreo crumbs
- 2 tbsp melted butter
For the filling:
- 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg + 1 yolk, room temperature
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2–3 tbsp red food coloring (gel recommended for vibrant color)
- 1 tsp white vinegar
- ½ tsp cocoa powder
For the topping:
- 4 oz (115g) cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp heavy cream or milk
- Optional: whipped cream, red velvet crumbs, or fresh berries
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Line a mini muffin tin with paper liners or grease well.
- Make crust (optional): Mix crumbs and melted butter. Press 1 tsp into each cup.
- Make red velvet batter: In a bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add egg + yolk, vanilla, and flour; mix until just combined. In a small bowl, whisk food coloring, vinegar, and cocoa. Fold into batter.
- Make plain cheesecake topping: Beat topping ingredients until smooth.
- Assemble: Fill each cup halfway with red velvet batter. Add ½ tsp plain batter on top. Swirl gently with a toothpick.
- Bake 18–22 minutes, until centers are just set (edges may puff slightly).
- Cool completely, then chill at least 2 hours (or overnight).
- Top with whipped cream or extra swirls before serving.
💡 Pro Tips:
– Room-temperature ingredients prevent cracking.
– For gluten-free: Use GF cookie crumbs and GF flour.
– Freeze unbaked bites for up to 1 month; thaw before baking.
Prep Time & Nutrition (per bite, makes 24):
Servings: 24 | Calories: 90 | Net Carbs: 6g | Fats: 7g | Protein: 2g